Stephen Downes

I think this post raises a good point. YouTube is releasing a new feature for creators allowing them to create different versions of their videos to see which one performs best (which in YouTube's world means gains the most and longest views, the essential conditions for monetization). This is known in the business as 'an A/B test'. But this, writes Jim Nielsen, raises questions: how do viewers know they're in an A/B test? Which versions do the comments refer to? If I share it, will other people see the same video I did? Marques Brownlee, writes Nielsen, has released a video essay asking YouTube not to do this. "There's this sort of unspoken rule of community on YouTube, that like we're all having this same experience together." Nielsen echoes Brownlee's concerns. And I have to say, I am sympathetic with the argument.